As the nation recognizes Older Americans Month in May, Cerna is at the forefront to meet the growing needs of seniors and their families
As more seniors live longer and face chronic conditions, Cerna Healthcare, a Home Care and Nursing Services provider, is filling a much-needed demand for healthcare management support with the launch of its Coordinated Care service.
In addition to Cerna Healthcare’s nursing and Level II service specifically for patients with cognitive impairments, families can receive comprehensive case management for seniors with multiple or complex healthcare needs. Nine in 10 Americans age 65 and older have at least one chronic health condition and 77 percent have multiple chronic conditions, requiring ongoing organization and collaboration with current and new healthcare partners.
“It can be challenging for families to oversee the often complicated healthcare needs of an aging parent, which can include coordination among several doctors and different medication prescriptions,” said Marc Friedman, director of Coordinated Care Services for Cerna Healthcare. “Our concentrated level of managing a recipient’s care plan reduces costs, alleviates family stress and improves the well-being of the senior.”
Cerna Healthcare offers families a locally-based and dedicated case manager who provides hands-on administration of a patient’s healthcare needs.
“Cerna has been instrumental in helping our patients and their families navigate the healthcare system, ultimately leading to more effective results,” said Jay Rosenberg, MD, Senior Neurologist, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. “Getting support from a provider also allows families to focus more on spending quality time with their loved one.”
Care coordination has been a topic in healthcare reform discourse. By 2050, experts project 88.5 million U.S. residents will be age 65 years or older, and most agree that the lack of coordinated care can cause many issues including a duplication of services, inappropriate or conflicting care recommendations, medication errors, increased costs, and patient distress.